How To Grow Your Van Meuwen Plants Beginning With A

Introduction -- A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

ABIES KOREANA (Korean Fir)

Height: 30ft (10m); spread 20ft (6m)
Aftercare: Will grow in sun or shade in most good garden soils with the exceptions of chalk or limestone.

ABUTILON

Flowering time: May to November
Height: 3-6ft (90-180cm)
Aftercare: Plant in a large pot or tub with crocks in base for drainage. Use a mixture of peat and garden soil. Place in a sunny position but will also grow in partial shade if sheltered and warm. Keep frost free during winter. Remove damaged or dead shoots during March/April.

ACANTHUS (Bear's Breeches)

Aftercare: Fully hardy to frost tender. Grows in any soil in sun or partial shade, although they thrive in deep, fertile, well-drained loam.

ACIDANTHERA (See Gladioli)

AGAPANTHUS (African Lily)

Flowering time: July to September
Height: approximately 27in (70cm)
Aftercare: Can be placed in the garden or is equally at home in a large planter. Mulch in winter.

ALLIUMS (Moly, Ostrowskianum)

Flowering time: June
Height: 12-14in (30-35cm)
Aftercare: Plant in a sunny position in any well drained soil 3 inches (8cm) deep and 3 inches (8cm) apart. Leave undisturbed until the clumps are overcrowded, then lift, split and replant immediately.

ALSTROEMERIA

Flowering time: June to September
Height: 24in-36in (60-90cm)
Aftercare: Plant in groups, 4 inches (10cm) deep, in any well-drained fertile soil. Choose a sheltered position, preferably one where plants can remain undisturbed for several years. Occasionally no top growth is made in the first season until the roots become well established. Cut down stems to ground level in autumn and mulch to protect from winter weather.

ANEMONE JAPONICA

Flowering time: August to October
Height: 36in (90cm)
Aftercare: Thrives in any ordinary soil in a sunny or shaded position, but resents root disturbance and may be slow to get started in the first season. Plant in groups, 12 inches (30cm) apart. Flowers freely when established.

ANEMONES (De Caen and St.Brigid)

Flowering time: May to July
Height: 10-12in (25-30cm)
Aftercare: Plant by pressing them 2 inches (5cm) deep and 3 inches (8cm) apart in damp soil. The flowering period can be extended by successional planting. They prefer a sunny or partially shaded spot and should be lifted and dried every 2 years. They can be replanted in a similar position. A good tip is to soak corms for 24 hours in tepid water prior to planting. This will encourage rapid germination.

ANEMONE BLANDA

Flowering time: February to March
Height: 6in (15cm)
Aftercare: Plant in well drained soil in sun or partial shade.

ANGEL'S TRUMPET (Brugmansia)

Flowering time: late spring to autumn
Aftercare: Best grown in John Innes potting compost No. 2. Start in 5 inch pots and repot annually in March or April. They may be stood outdoors in a sheltered position between June and September. During winter keep plants cool and moist at a temperature of 7°C (45°F). The large leaves have been removed to reduce transpiration during transit. They will grow back again in about 14 days.

APPLES

Aftercare: Soil to be deeply dug and well manured, a sunny position is preferred. Dig a hole wide enough to take the roots when spread out, place a stake in the hole to support the tree. Fill in the hole and firm the soil around the tree. Fasten the tree to the stake so it will not move about. Keep well watered until established.
Cox's Orange Pippin. The most popular eating apple, which is crisp and juicy, and has a superb flavour. Fruit ready for picking in October, can be stored ready for Christmas. Rootstock used: MM106, Semi Dwarf.

Golden Delicious. Very popular apple. Normally heavy cropping and stores well until February. Ready for picking late October. Rootstock used: MM1106, Semi Dwarf.

ASTILBE RED

Flowering time: June to August
Aftercare: Can tolerate shady places which are not in full sun.

ASTRANTIA RUBRA

Flowering time: early to mid summer
Height: 12-35in (30-90cm); spread 18in (45cm)
Aftercare: Fully hardy. Grow in moist, fertile , preferably humus rich soil, in sun or partial shade.

AZALEA JAPONICA (Japanese Azalea)

Flowering time: May
Height: 12-18in (30-45cm); spread 24in (60cm)
Aftercare: The evergreen Azaleas will thrive in full sun if the roots are kept moist. Ideally they should be planted in a well drained, sandy loam but light soils can be enriched and heavy soils lightened by the liberal addition of peat, hop manure or leaf-mould. Plant just covering the soil ball. Give annual mulch. Pruning is unnecessary, but dead-head after flowering.

AZALEA MOLLIS / STANDARD AZALEA

Flowering time: May to June
Height: 36in (90cm); spread 4-5ft (120-150cm)
Aftercare: Will thrive in full sun if the roots are kept moist. Ideally they should be planted in a well-drained sandy loam but heavy soils can be lightened and light soils enriched by the addition of peat, hop manure or leaf-mould. Plant just covering the soil ball. Can also be planted in pots.